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July College Recruiting Newsletter 2022

QUESTIONS TO ASK COACHES

As we look ahead to the upcoming Fall season, College Soccer will soon be in full swing which means college coaches’ time will be at a premium. As potential student athletes, it is important to enter a conversation with a coach with a plan in place, in order to best steer the conversation where you want it to go. There is a strategy that is needed in order to balance building a personal relationship that helps you to stand out, while also getting vital information that can help you in your recruiting process. Below you will find 6 questions (3 soccer related, 3 culture related) to ask college coaches that can not only help you get to know them and their programs better, but also show proactivity and preparation on your part.

Soccer Questions

  • Would you be willing to describe your team’s principles of play? This is a much better question than asking coaches what formation their team plays. By asking about principles, you will get a much better sense of HOW the team plays. Formations and systems of play can adapt, but the principles of a program should remain regardless of the shape they are playing.
  • What attributes are needed from a player in my position in order to fit your team’s identity? Asking about player traits that are specific to each team’s identity (principles of play) for your position will give you a better sense of how a team likes to play and if your natural style of play as a player will fit with what the program is trying to do on the field.
  • What are some non-negotiable attributes that every player on your team has in an ideal world? By asking this question, you get a deeper understanding of how a coach truly wants to play. If they say “comfort on the ball,” you can assume they want to keep the ball and possess. If they say “speed,” this may mean they want to press and play in transition a bit more.  Ultimately, each coach has things they prioritize in all players, and asking this question should give you an inside look on what that is.

Culture Questions

  • How do the core values of your program align with the core values that you have personally? This is a fantastic question that allows you to get a sense of the culture of the program, as well as the morals and personal values that the coach embodies.
  • How does your team handle conflict? This question is a great indicator of a team’s culture and how they react when faced with adversity.
  • What makes your program special? As you are navigating this process, each program will have somewhat similar answers to the common questions that are asked. By asking coaches what makes their program special, you will get a clear sense of the program’s vision.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: Creating Standards/Habits

A lot of what we’ve talked about to this point in this section of the newsletter should be pointing you towards becoming the best version of yourself. But how you live your life on a day-to-day basis is more important than the words you have put onto paper or the things you’ve said you are going to do.

Just like in college soccer, every program has great ideas of what they want their culture to look like. But the best programs are the ones that are a living embodiment of their values and principals and act accordingly because it is inside them and part of who they are. If you have created a list of values that are important to you, it is vital that you are intentional about living them out each day.

Just as important, if you have goals that you have set for yourself as a player or person, it is important that you are setting yourself up for success with the daily habits and rituals that you have created for yourself. Easier said than done, I know! It is human nature to have dips in energy, motivation, and to fall into a state of complacency.

There are ways to combat this, and it all comes down to being intentional in your actions. Below are 5 ways to help you stay the course in your quest for becoming the best version of yourself!

  • Start each day with positivity – Whether it be a motivational video, reading a page out of a book, or simply taking time to be thankful for another day, being intentional about being excited for what is to come in the day will give you a spark of energy.
  • Be intentional with who you surround yourself with – Are your friends like-minded in wanting to improve? Or are they inhibiting you from reaching your goals with their words and actions? Often, you are a byproduct of who you surround yourself with. It is much easier to stay motivated if you are surrounded with motivated individuals!
  • Make a daily to-do list – By having small things you want to accomplish each day, this can make your goals seem less insurmountable. Set tasks for each day that are able to be met and take the time to be proud of yourself as you achieve each small milestone!
  • Reflect on your progress – Being intentional about taking 5-10 minutes, whether it be in thought or in writing (journaling) to think about where you’ve been, how far you’ve come, and where you want to go can be very motivating. Before bed each night, instead of scrolling through tik-tok for hours, take 5 minutes to think about your goals and how you can continue to manifest them.
  • Enjoy the process – Ultimately, no one knows yourself better than you. If you need to take a day to rest and recover, do it. If you feel the need to push a little harder, do it. You will never get to where you want to go if you do not LOVE what you are doing. Keep this at the center of your mindset and you will be surprised at just how far you can go!

Monthly Help Links from Sports Recruits

College Commitments

  • Natalie Bain – Xavier University
  • Eleanor Simkonis – Cleveland State University
  • Mya Gerak – University of Kentucky
  • Summer Denigan – Florida State University
  • Marina Ruthsatz – Wright State University
  • Claire Wiseman – Ohio Northern University
  • Faith Broering – University of Cincinnati
  • Jade Rehberger – Illinois State University
  • Danielle Hicks – Ashland University
  • Maddy Murphy – Eastern Kentucky University
  • Annie Isphording – Johns Hopkins University
  • Kali Funk – Ashland University
  • Ella Madden – Ohio Northern University
  • Molly McNeill – Cedarville University
  • Sarah Zimmerman – Washington and Lee University
  • Morgan Gerak – Michigan State University
  • Katie Adams – Ohio Wesleyan University
  • Meg Gessner – Northern Kentucky University
  • Emily Duffey – Hanover College
  • Sydney Noble – University of Findlay
  • Kaitlyn Siefert – University of Findlay
  • Chloe Spitzer – Berea College
  • Shyanne Iles – University of Southern Illinois
  • CJ DeBra – Youngstown State University
  • Sarah Henson – Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
  • Courtney Lindgren – California University of Pennsylvania
  • Jackson Byrd – Mount St. Joseph University
  • Leo Bill – Transylvania University
  • Adam Gritton – Spalding University
  • Amber Branum – Wright State University
  • Tyron Reynolds – Spalding University
  • Abby Cole – Mount Saint Joseph University
  • Ella Madden – Fairmont State University
  • Shannon Crogan – Northern Kentucky University
  • Jon Gordon – Asbury University
  • Will Freson – Marietta College
  • Macie Chappell – Campbellsville University
  • Riley Arnold – Ohio Dominican
  • Elizabeth Dreas – Austin Peay State University
  • Emily Lloyd – Florida Southern College
  • Ellie Greenwell – Ohio University
  • Shannon Crogan – Northern Kentucky University
  • Zara Graff – Wright State University
  • Abby Unkraut – University of Georgia
  • Mia Fiore – Xavier University
  • Victoria Zappasodi – Cleveland State
  • Ella Smith – Miami University
  • Ellie Lanyi – University of Alabama
  • Jason Litzler – Thomas More University
  • Colson Neace – Transylvania University
  • Ethan Green – University of Cincinnati-Clermont
  • Cameron Engel – University of Cincinnati-Clermont
  • Olivia Jones – Centre College
  • Jordan Church – Arkansas State University

2023 Verbal College Commitments:

  • Amanda Schlueter – Ohio State University
  • Sophie Decker – Marian University
  • Ruby Dunlevy – Eastern Kentucky University

Remember to post your commitment to your Sports Recruits account and send commitment photos to info@kingshammer.com so that you can be recognized for your achievements.

Our goal is to continue to develop all of our players and their respective teams with an improved player development model and pathway during the new Fall 2022 – Spring 23 season after the tryouts.

Your player’s coach both as a volunteer and paid licensed and certified coach is part of our team and will continue to be part of our soccer club and community. The new partnership is aware that our responsibility as a youth club is to provide more support and resources to each coach so that our players and parents experience is even better.

We plan to have most of our current coaching team to continue to lead their assigned teams for the upcoming season unless there is a conflict with their schedule and/or another opportunity they prefer to pursue in the club which we may consider and appoint a new coach as a result.

Uniforms are set to change for the Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 season and we plan to keep the new and upcoming kits for 2-year period as that is the cycle suggested by the manufacturers.

Our new uniform/player kit brand will be Nike.

Pricing will be very comparable to our current brand of uniforms/player kits as we plan to add more value to the assortment of products that our players currently receive.

No. We will be using Soccer Village as our vendor for our families to order their new season uniforms/player kits.

Soccer Village will provide sample sizes during tryouts for the new uniforms/player kits so that you can order the correct sizing for your player.

Click here to view the Soccer Village website.

Fees will be an all-inclusive model that will cover all expenses (except uniform and personal travel).

No separate club fees and team dues.

Families will have an improved payment plan option of 8 installments with an initial deposit.

Financial Aid and Scholarships will still be available to our families. More information will be added to the website once tryouts have concluded.

Teams will continue to train at the same locations. A big part of this partnership is to work with the city and other independent locations to improve and invest in facilities to create a better training and playing environment.

Kings Hammer is one of the most recognizable privately held clubs in the Midwest.

Founded in 1993 in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area.

2 US Youth National titles, 2 runners-up, 4 US Youth Region 2 Champs, 42 OH State Cups, 25 KY State Cups.

In 2020, they added a U23 team in the Ohio Valley Premier League, winning the league’s inaugural season in the Fall of 2020.

In 2021, they joined USL League Two, the pre-professional division of the USL in the US and adding a USL-W team for the 2022 season.

Kings Hammer is backed by Corporex, a privately held investment company with broad holdings throughout the United States. CPX creates investment opportunities for their capital partners through traditional real estate assets as well as an ever-broadening array of other opportunistic investments including Commonwealth Hotels, Kings Hammer Soccer LLC, Alpine Mountain Ranch & Club and Five Seasons Family Sports Clubs. Their ability to create exceptional value through these investments is rooted in their 56-year history as a BUILDER. Why Kings Hammer?

A Complete Pathway to support an all-inclusive player development

Grassroots-Premier-Academy-Professional Development

  • Pathway will start with grassroots and premier program for the 2022/23 season
  • All-inclusive pay structure with flexible and affordable payment plans that covers all costs. 

No additional team fees (uniform/player kits & personal travel are not included)

  • Additional showcases and ID platforms through KH events & network
  • Unique travel and network opportunities through KH and its partners
  • Increased scholarship support through club and local foundation
  • Affordable uniform costs with better assortment through Nike and SV partnership
  • Play Metrics operations & comm. Platform connects the entire club
  • Techne training app – Supporting self-improvement at home
  • Sports Recruits (College recruitment platform and support)
  • College recruitment seminar
  • Player/Parent Education through KH Education Division
  • Kings Hammer Speaker Series – Platform created to present relevant youth soccer information. National and International guest speakers
  • Use of camera & technology for further development opportunities
  • Kings Hammer Goalkeeper Union for specialized training

Our goal is to make Kings Hammer Murfreesboro SC one of the most successful regional youth soccer clubs that focuses on player development with the proper core values. We plan to recruit and retain all coaches that will enable us to achieve our player development pathway for our players in the long run.

Kings Hammer Murfreesboro will continue to offer all levels of appropriate aged training for all level players. Click here to see our new and improved player development pathway.

Kings Hammer Murfreesboro will continue to offer programs all year round.

Full details of all programming will be released in May 2022.

Yes, the logo and the name will change to represent the new King Hammer Murfreesboro.

We will be combining local, regional, and possibly national sponsorships to generate the resources and scale up the opportunities for our Murfreesboro area players and teams. The benefit of our partnerships has impacted our families far beyond just sponsorships.

 

Technically, No. The Board of Director of MSC have agreed unanimously to sign a 6-year Partnership Agreement to outsource the management of the club to Kings Hammer to elevate the services we are currently and increase the opportunities to have a bigger economic impact to our community with this partnership.

Kings Hammer provides professional player development, great customer service, and offers an inclusive approach to youth soccer.  Kings Hammer Murfreesboro SC will elevate the scale of a community club with access to the highest-level opportunities for players to reach their fullest potential. Throughout the tiered system of development, players and coaches will be able to develop in the appropriate tiered programming, network and expertise provided by Kings Hammer Soccer Club.

Our Recreational Program, which will be branded as our Grassroots Program will continue to play their games at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex under the umbrella of Kings Hammer Murfreesboro SC with more support and resources for both players, parents and volunteer coaches of the program.

Our Academy and Select Program, which will be branded as our Premier Program will continue to train and play their games at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex as well as other locations they currently travel as part of their JDL and TSL games schedule versus other TSSA member organizations and youth soccer clubs.

Our future Premier Program teams will also continue to travel and attend tournaments within the state of TN and possibly other states based on their specific development need and skill level as a team.

No. However Kings Hammer Murfreesboro SC will have an improved structured player development model and a pathway that can support each individual player to play at different levels and assist players achieve their specific goals.

No. Kings Hammer have strong program representation in both States and their players play in their respective locations. The newly formed King Hammer Murfreesboro SC player will continue to play their JDL and TSL games in our area against other TSSA member organizations as scheduled by our state.

Premier Program teams may eventually travel to tournaments in Kentucky and Ohio as a result our partnership with Kings Hammer and vice versa.

As the club grows, we may potentially combine top players from each location to create regional development teams to compete at higher caliber events, showcases to create additional opportunities our players. 

That is our overarching goal and plan. However, it will take some time until we can have teams that can compete in higher level platforms. As Kings Hammer Murfreesboro, we’ve already started working towards a strategic development plan to prepare our club to be part of these leagues and compete at the highest level possible in a short amount of time.